Cheiridopsis umbrosa is a beautiful plant that is perfect for growers with limited space. It is a winter grower and goes dormant during the summer.
Scientific Name
Cheiridopsis umbrosa S.A.Hammer & Desmet
Scientific Classification
Family: Aizoaceae
Subfamily: Ruschioideae
Tribe: Ruschieae
Genus: Cheiridopsis
Etymology
The specific epithet "umbrosa" (pronounced um-BRO-suh) means "shady, shadowy" and refers to the habitat of this species.
Origin
Cheiridopsis umbrosa is native to South Africa. It grows in shaded and damp crevices of gneiss, rarely on exposed quartzite east of Concordia in the Northern Cape province.
Description
Cheiridopsis umbrosa is a succulent subshrub with ground-level branches that bear pale greenish-grey leaves with translucent spots. As the plant matures, it forms dense clumps that can reach a height and diameter of up to 3.2 inches (8 cm). The leaves are deciduous; older leaves turn red by early summer and wither, creating a protective sheath at the base of the new leaf pair. The leaves grow in opposite pairs and differ in the degree of fusion.
During late winter and early spring, Cheiridopsis umbrosa produces solitary, long-stalked flowers with numerous very slender, yellow petals. The fruits are 10-locular capsules.
How to Grow and Care for Cheiridopsis umbrosa
Light: This succulent requires bright light but not too much direct sunlight. So, a windowsill that receives 4 to 5 hours of direct sunlight in the morning and partial shade in the afternoon will be a perfect spot for indoor growing.
Soil: Cheiridopsis umbrosa thrives in porous soil, allowing the water to drain away quickly. Therefore, use commercial soil for succulents or make your own well-draining mix.
Temperature: High temperatures are not a problem for this plant as long as there is plenty of fresh air, but it is not cold-hardy. It grows best in USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 9b to 11b, with average minimum winter temperatures ranging from 25 to 50 °F (-3.9 to 10 °C).
Watering: To keep your plant healthy, it is most important to know when, how much, and how often to water. During its dormant period, usually in summer, Cheiridopsis umbrosa requires little or no water. When it starts to grow again in the fall, water it thoroughly but allow the soil to dry between waterings.
Fertilizing: As long as you repot this plant every two years, it does not need fertilizer.
Repotting: Even if it can stay happy in the same pot for years, once in a while, you can repot your plant to give it more space anytime during the growing season. However, the best time is at the beginning of the growing season.
Propagation: Although it is usually grown from seeds, Cheiridopsis umbrosa can be easily propagated by division. Late summer, just before the plant begins to break dormancy, is the best time to divide it, while the fall is ideal for sowing the seeds.
Learn more at How to Grow and Care for Mesembs.
Toxicity of Cheiridopsis umbrosa
Cheiridopsis umbrosa is considered non-toxic, so having it around kids and pets is safe.
Links
- Back to genus Cheiridopsis
- Succupedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus
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